Yup, energy resources could be the engine of the next American century.

We just need to drive a stake into the heart of the AGW religion, and kill the green energy myth that is causing energy consumption to rise, starving people in poor countries, and doing enormous environmental damage (google “rare earth minerals” and find out what is happening in China, which owns the market for these essential green energy mineral extracts).

Innovative technologies for unleashing huge oil shale deposits in North Dakota and neighboring Canada combined with natural gas discoveries primarily located in the northeastern United States will be the building blocks for a second American century.

The North Dakota miracle has turned the formerly sleepy state into a booming economy which by the end of 2012 will likely become the second largest oil producing state in the nation passing both California and Alaska.

The oil find in Alberta, Canada is even more stunning, with some oil experts estimating the reserves at eight times the size of the Saudi Arabian fields.

This dramatic increase in North American oil production, if accompanied by a national energy policy that allowed for the development of many known Alaskan and Gulf of Mexico reserves could be the key to a U.S., and worldwide economic recovery.

I actually saw a baptismal ceremony much like this, white robes and full immersion where the pastor leans the penitent backwards and holds the nose, in the Jordan River near where it enters the Lake of Galilee. There’s a kibbutz there that has made a business of hosting baptisms for Christian tour groups. Not a normal sight for a Lutheran. We just sprinkle.

I figure, if the AGW alarmists are going to blame CO2 for the perilous condition of polar bears (which is not actually happening), we energy consumers should take credit for good news.

Murres indicating nesting behavior, after a long absence from this island

“This is an exciting finding — certainly a historic one,” said Josh Adams, a seabird ecologist with the USGS Western Ecological Research Center. “The murres appear to have reestablished their former southern range, perhaps benefiting from present ocean conditions.” [COLD FRICKIN’ WATER!]

“Conditions in the Santa Barbara Channel have been exceptionally productive during the past decade,” Adams said in a statement. “Although many factors affect population redistribution and recovery, no doubt the murres at Prince Island are benefiting from relatively cool summertime waters, increased ocean productivity, and changes in forage-fish availability.”

More than 32 mostly coal-fired power plants in a dozen states will be forced to shut down and an additional 36 might have to close because of new federal air pollution regulations, according to an Associated Press survey.

Together, those plants — some of the oldest and dirtiest in the country — produce enough electricity for more than 22 million households, the AP survey found. But their demise probably won’t cause homes to go dark.

“Probably” isn’t especially reassuring, but overall it’s good news, yes? But later, waaaayyyy later in the article, they drop this little nugget:

Kentucky Utilities expects its customers to see as much as a 14 percent rate increase to make up for the $800 million it is spending to replace what will be retired, and the $1.1 billion it plans to spend on anti-pollution upgrades. Other power companies have applied to recoup the cost of retrofits or of building new gas-fired power plants. The EPA estimates that industry will spend $11 billion complying with the two rules by 2016.

A 14% increase in electricity rates is a huge hit to both residential customers and businesses. Smart move in a recession. Of course the government will probably decide to give subsidies to customers in those areas: yet another instance where the government ends up spending more to fix a problem that it created.